Healing with Voluma in cheeks: what are the side effects and is there any bruising or swelling?

Thanks for your question. Typically there is not very much bruising involved with Voluma. However, if there is most bruising could be covered with make-up and resolves quite quickly. Each individual is unique with how quickly a bruise goes away. You should be fine having injections on a Friday and working Monday. However, there are not any guarantees. I would set up a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to explore your options more. Best of luck!  

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Because Voluma injections are typically placed very deep into the face it is uncommon to have significant bruising.  If bruising develops it is usually delayed for a few days after treatment and is a pale green or yellow color.  This can be easily covered by makeup.  You will have some tissue swelling that takes place but this too should improve over 2-3 days.  Hope this helps. 

It is normal to expect some swelling in the cheeks when using filler such as Voluma for 1-2 weeks. However, even if you swell, most patients look great or even better from the added volume during this time. Bruising may or may not happen depending on how easily you bruise/bleed and the technique used by your physician. If you do have bruising, it is usually visible within the first 2 days and usually goes away within 1-2 weeks depending on your own rate of healing. Make-up and concealer can be placed to hide any bruising. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery@drjohnsonlee

The downtime for Voluma or any other filler is similar. The main risk is bruising and swelling, both are highly dependant on which areas are injected and how well trained the physician is in avoiding these thing through proper injection technique and knowledge of anatomy (e.g. knowing where important veins/arteries are, which non-physician injectors have limited knowledge of). Sometimes a bruise is tiny and easily coverable and lasts only 3-4 days, and other times a larger blood vessel is poked and the bruise lasts 7-12 days and is hard to cover in the early days. I always say not to inject a filler within 1 week of a major party or presentation, just in case. Being on any type of blood thinner also increased your risk of a bruise.

Hello,Chance of bruises in our practice is less than 1%. Most importantly, we make sure the patient would not take fish oil for few days, the same for NSAIDs. I have injected the patients taking aspirin and didn't have bruises.  some patients can not stop aspirin if they take it for their heart. If injection is done by experienced doctor then should not be worried much about it. and read Dr Lickstein's answer again. it is very helpful.Best -- Dr Ray

Rest assured that most patients undergo Voluma injections to the cheek and are perfectly presentable in public the same day.  You are correct to have concerns, as some patients certainly do experience swelling and bruising.  There are things that you can do to minimize your chances of having bruising.  Make certain that you are in good overall health, especially in terms of blood pressure control.  Hypertension, even transient and related to anxiety about the procedure, can increase the risks of bruising.  Avoid aspirin, motrin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs for at least a week prior to the procedure.  Discontinue vitamins and supplements as well.  Consider taking arnica and bromelain prior to the procedure, and know that consuming pineapple can help swelling and bruising resolve.  Find a practitioner facile with injections with cannulae, rather than needles.  Apply cold compresses prior to injection, so all the vessels in the area are constricted.  After the procedure, keep your head elevated and avoid strenuous activity.  Then keep your fingers crossed!  Even with great preparation there is a risk.  Know that if necessary camouflage make up can be applied.  Good luck.  Cheek injections can really rejuvenate the face in a subtle way!